Castro to U.S.: respect our system of government

Cuban president Raul Castro speaks about the U.S.'s new Cuba policy and his hopes for the relationship going forward. Justin Mitchell reports.

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A round of applause as Cuban president Raul Castro enters the National Assembly -- where he speaks of looking forward to normalizing relations with the U.S....but warns that does not mean any changes to Cuba's system of government.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN PRESIDENT RAUL CASTRO, SAYING:
"We can't pretend that by improving ties with the Unites States, Cuba will renounce the ideas for which it has fought for more than a century, for which its people have shed a lot of blood and have run the biggest of risks."
In a speech aired on state TV, the 83-year-old president thanked U.S. President Barack Obama for his decision to seek relations...but warned ending the five-decade long trade embargo would not be easy.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN PRESIDENT RAUL CASTRO, SAYING:
"Our people must understand that with the announced conditions, this will be a long and difficult fight but the international community and U.S. society continue to demand the lifting of the blockade."
Castro also verified that he would be attending the Summit of the Americas in Panama this April...setting up his first meeting with President Obama since the bombshell announcement.

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